Beyond the Marbling

Ep 17. Meat with a Meaning

You asked for it—and now it’s here. In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, we head to North Queensland to spotlight a Wagyu production system making serious waves.

Host Lyndsey Douglas sits down with Harry Kemp of King River Wagyu, one of the nation’s youngest vertically integrated supply chains and a 2024 QLD Premier’s Export Awards recipient.

From natural mating across expansive northern paddocks to full-animal utilisation and innovative feedlot strategies, Harry shares how King River is redefining sustainability, genetics, and value in Wagyu production. This is Meat with a Meaning.

Ep 16. Market Dynamics in Wagyu

Just days before Trump’s latest tariff announcement, Beyond the Marbling sits down with leading agricultural analysts Matt Dalgleish and Simon Quilty to unpack what shifting global dynamics could mean for Wagyu. With WagyuEdge25 on the horizon, this timely conversation dives deep into market dynamics, trade tensions, pricing trends, and the outcomes of recent climatic events. Ground beef is booming, premium cuts are under pressure, and global uncertainty is heating up. Don’t miss this sharp, data-driven episode hosted by Lyndsey Douglas, a teaser to the Market Dynamics session on Thursday 10th April at WagyuEdge25'. 

Ep 15. Revolutionising Wagyu with Biotechnology

This episode dives into the potential of genomics, genetic engineering, and genome editing in cattle breeding, exploring how these innovations could revolutionise the industry. From hornless Wagyu to disease resistance and sex ratio alterations—biotechnology offers powerful tools to enhance genetics while preserving Wagyu’s prized traits. However, policy, regulation, and public perception may ultimately determine how widely these advancements are adopted. What does the future hold for Wagyu and the beef industry? Tune in to find out!

Ep 14. Reshaping a Business Model to Include Wagyu

In this episode of Beyond the Marbling, Lyndsey Douglas sits down with Garry Edwards, Managing Director of AAM Investment Group, to discuss their impressive expansion into Wagyu cattle. With nearly a billion dollars in agricultural assets, AAM’s unique approach to livestock management includes a focus on genetics, including a significant investment in full-blood Wagyu cattle at Bective Station. Garry discusses how AAM’s innovative strategies are shaping both Australian and global markets, highlighting the rising demand for premium beef in South-East Asia. Tune in to discover how this billion-dollar company is changing the game in agriculture and cattle breeding.

Ep 13. The Hammond Legacy

In this episode, we sit down with Alex and Keith Hammond, owners of a picturesque Wagyu breeding operation between Robbins Island and Walker Island, Tasmania. They share a multigenerational perspective on the evolution of the Wagyu industry, reflecting on how breeding practices have advanced over time and the challenges of making progressive business decisions within a family-run operation that spans generations. They discuss the role of global collaboration in driving the success of Robbins Island Wagyu, as well as the invaluable insights gained from Keith’s tenure on the Australian Wagyu Association board. Looking ahead, they emphasise the importance of strong leadership in shaping the future of Wagyu breeding, ensuring the development of a resilient and high-quality breed for generations to come.

Ep 12. Next-Gen Wagyu with Jessie Macqueen

At the forefront of the WagYouth—founded through the Australian Wagyu Association fellowship, is Jessie Macqueen, a passionate young leader shaping the future of Australia’s Wagyu industry. In this episode, Jessie shares her insights on the biggest challenges facing the next generation of Wagyu producers and how emerging leaders are finding innovative ways to collaborate, improve herd genetics, and maximize business opportunities. She emphasizes that the future of the industry isn’t just about tradition, it’s about adaptation, problem-solving, and collective growth.

Ep 11. From Humble Beginnings: Sher Wagyu

In this episode, we travel to Ballan, a small town near Melbourne, to meet the Sher family, first-generation farmers who built one of Australia’s most esteemed Wagyu operations. We chat with Jack Sher, the next-generation leader of the world-renowned Sher Wagyu enterprise, to explore the remarkable journey of the Wagyu industry—from its humble beginnings with just five people around a table to the globally celebrated Wagyu Edge Conference. Along the way, we discuss the calculated risks taken by Australia’s early Wagyu pioneers and how they continue to adapt to meet the demands of the 21st-century market.

Ep 10. Mindset of a beef producer, not just a cattle producer

In this episode, we head back to Millicent in South Australia to continue our conversation with the most recent recipient of an honorary life membership with the Australian Wagyu Association, Scott de Bruin of Mayura Station.  We delve deeper into the moments and milestones that made Mayura Station including Scott’s change in mindset to a Beef producer, not just a cattle producer. Scott will discuss his feedlot, the role of data in breeding decisions and he'll recall his industry leadership at a time when truth in labelling was a political hot potato.